1999 Impreza, Project Track Car

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26 Nov 2007
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Managed to pick up a cheap Impreza that is needing a fair bit of work, The suspension is tired the brakes Aren't great, the cylinder head gaskets are bown, the rear wheel arches are bubbling with rust after a poor repair, the gearbox syncro's are crunching into 4th and 5th. Probably more things will come to light as the project progresses but thats a start.

I know as well as anyone that projects dont really make much sense financially and I could just go out and buy a newer more powerfull car rather than waste it on this but I just feel like a challange and I'll have the benefit of knowing every bit of the car has been done right and is the way I want it.

So far I've got the engine and gearbox out, I've repaired the gearbox with new syncros, oil seals etc and its sitting waiting to go back in, Sorry no pics of this repair as I hadn't decided to keep a record at that point.

The engine has been boxed up and sent to API for a full rebuild using steel rods, forged pistons, 750cc injectors, a brand new Garrett RCM400 turbo. It will be fitted with a front mount intercooler, Samco induction hoses, induction kit of some kind HKS possibly, 255lph Walbro fuel pump, It will then be remapped using Ecu-Tek 2, the estimated power will be 400+hp. :)

Work has now commenced on the body work namely the rear arches which have bubbled up due to previous corrosion. We have cut out all the rust on both skins and welded in new patches, I would have bought repair panels but I couldnt find a source.

This isnt a great pic, you cant quite make out the bubbling
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Heres the arch after the rust had been cut out and the new inner skin welded in
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Rear offside wheel arch welding completed and primed, waiting for space in the body shop now for filling and painting

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Nearside

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Heres the back panel before cleaning and rust proofing
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After cleaning and rust proofing

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Engine removed

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Interior, alarm, roof lining, airbags etc removed, Only bucket seats, harnesses, Roll cage will be refitted. Might even remove rear electric window motors as a further weight saving measure

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New Tein adjustable coil overs

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Thanks guys, I'll update as it progresses, over the next week will just be tidying up wiring and the interior, waiting to get it painted and it might be a week or two till the new engine arrives. The start to finish time frame will be about a year as Im going to do it in stages.
 
Mini update this week, progress has been really slow due to heavy work load.



Location of new cold air induction pipe, wont help the car cosmetically but I prefer function over form.

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Weight reduction continues with removal of passenger air bags and sound deadening from floor pans.

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ABS pump is also getting removed to save weight and improve cold air flow to induction.

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New ride hight at rear with the Tein coil overs, It will probably need adjusting once engine and gearbox are refitted

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I'm pretty sure you can fit EDFC to Tein SS. I looked into it last month before deciding OEM would be better.

Great project btw:cool:
 
Nice project :)

What kind of cage are you putting in?


Not thought that far ahead yet, going to get it going quick, stopping and handling first then look into improving the safety so no daft stuff until everything is sorted.


Any suggestions on decent cages?
 
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